Woman files suit against driver in collision

A woman has filed suit against the driver whom she alleges failed to yield the right-of-way and caused a collision.

Geraldine Malone alleges she was riding in a vehicle that defendant Toddrick D. Ryals was driving Aug. 13, 2012, at the intersection of Savannah Avenue and 19th Street in Port Arthur.  Ryals was leasing the vehicle from defendant Hertz Vehicles at the time of the collision, according to the complaint filed Aug. 12 in Jefferson County District Court.

In the middle of the intersection, Ryals and a vehicle driven by defendant Hien Van Duong collided, the suit states.

Due to the collision, Malone incurred medical costs, experienced physical pain and suffering and endured mental anguish, the complaint says. She also alleges she suffered physical impairment and incurred court costs.

Malone blames Ryals for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to exercise due care, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to keep his vehicle under control, failed to swerve to avoid a collision and failed to yield the right-of-way.

She also names Van Duong as a defendant, saying he negligently failed to exercise due care, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to keep his vehicle under control, failed to swerve to avoid a collision and failed to yield the right-of-way.

In her complaint, Malone is seeking damages, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

Jeffrey C. Chilton of Packard Lapray in Beaumont will represent her.

The case number is Jefferson County District Court case E195-970

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at Jefferson County District Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it represents only one side of the story.